MARKSMANSHIP is a skill that can be developed and must be maintained. But speed and fitness are also critical components in practical pistol shooting, a fact that Alpha Angels members Sasha-Gay Mullings and Shayon Francis are well aware of.

It is with that in mind why the two have no intentions of sitting on their laurels despite a fairly positive start to their respective seasons on the overseas circuit.

Both were among a number of local shooters who displayed the skills and persistence required to cop several awards at the Florida Open Shooting Competition recently.

Francis, a police constable, finished tops in the Carry Optics C class and second in the Carry Optics Lady Category, while Alpha Angels Team Captain Mullings, a detective corporal, placed third.

Though she welcomed the podium finish, Mullings was by no means pleased with her overall performance, which she said was hindered by equipment malfunction.

“I didn’t do as well as expected but third place in [the] Carry Optics Lady Category is a fair start. Did I want more? Of course I did! However, circumstances beyond my control cost me some points. I’m still grateful for the podium finish,” Mullings told the Jamaica Observer.

With her appetite for action now whetted, Mullings pointed out that she is gunning to spend more time in training to ensure she not only builds on the recent outing, but also hits her targets more accurately and consistently.

“I am working towards putting in more serious training sessions. It’s challenging to balance work, law studies, and training but I am trying to make it work. I am also working on my fitness, aggression, accuracy and speed. That will definitely put me in a better position to compete with some of the best local and international shooters,” Mullings stated.

“I must add that I’m grateful for my Alpha Angels teammates and the members of the Jamaica Rifle Association who continue to nurture, guide and drive the ladies in the sport. With continued work and focus we hope to celebrate more success this year,” she added.

For Francis, the performance was basically a demonstration of her picking up where she left off last season but, like Mullings, she is targeting more improvements.

Both Mullings and Francis, along with Renee Rickhi, Yeonie Campbell, Corporal Kayla Keane and Shevanese Session, are the more recognised members of the Alpha Angels outfit.

“I am more than pleased with the results. I think it’s a great start to the year for me after a good season last year but, as I always say, there is always room for improvement,” said Francis.

“My overall goal is to be on the podium at all my matches and so the aim is to maintain this good start, but it will take constant training to make that happen. So, again, I’m hoping I can secure a corporate sponsor so I can put in some more training time to reap more success,” she told the Observer.

Meanwhile Ryan Bramwell, one of Jamaica’s Master Class shooters, and others also produced stellar performances as Bramwell copped second place in the Carry Optics Master Class Division. Jamaica Rifle Association’s Pistol Captain Alrice Palmer finished tops in the B class category, with Thomas Hall placing third in C class.

Adrian Randle finished fourth in A class and Ekpedeme Otuokon was awarded second place in the Senior category.

It was a clean sweep for Jamaica’s men in the Limited Division B class as Darin Richards bettered Owen Campbell and Ellesworth Dixon. Campbell also finished tops in the Senior category of his division.

Jamaica also had representation in the Open and Production divisions in which Bernard Lawrence (Open Division) and Sanjay Welsh (Production Divison) were equally impressive, copping third place in the C class and second place in B class, respectively.

“The match was a very good one. The shooting stages were fun and I’m really happy with my performance and, by extension, my team’s performance.

“We could have even done better, however some of our members had equipment malfunction and we dropped points on those stages — but our team did exceptionally well, nonetheless,” Francis noted.